Summer and travel definitely go hand in hand. Who wouldn’t want to be sitting on a white sand beach sipping a tropical cocktail right about now? But let’s face it, life gets in the way sometimes and we can’t always have our picture perfect summer vacation.

Even if the next few months aren’t lined up with exotic getaways and weekend excursions, there’s no reason why you can’t set out for an amazing experience right in your own backyard. I’ve lived in Los Angeles most of my adult life and still find myself discovering new places, hidden gems and must try restaurants that I had no idea existed.

Recently, I’ve been inspired to celebrate the joys of being a tourist in my own town. Living in Southern California, we’re blessed to have miles and miles of beaches for sunbathing, biking on the boardwalk, playing volleyball with friends, and of course, the Pacific Ocean for a refreshing swim!

I took a walk down to the Redondo Beach Riviera for sunset over the weekend and realized how picturesque the South Bay truly is. Gaze to the right and see the famous King Harbor Marina. To the left, the rolling hills of Palos Verdes, a view that one could easily mistake for the French Riviera. Strolling along the sandy beach brought me back to summers on the Mayan Riviera in the Yucatan Peninsula. When I closed my eyes, I was instantly transported.

The next afternoon, I found myself at the Riviera Village Famer’s Market. Mingling with local artisans and purveyors of unique fruits and vegetables gave me a new appreciation for So Cal.

Chioggia beets, kumquats, rum cake, soy candles and organic coffee were just a few of the goodies I picked up along the way.

After picking up flowers and some fresh mint, it was time for a cocktail. And what better locale to enjoy a drink than a rooftop with an ocean view?

I can’t wait to venture out for more exploring this summer and beyond! There’s still so much to see, learn and taste in Los Angeles. Luckily, with the sand in my toes and the salty breeze in my hair, the world is my oyster. Hmm, oysters….where should I go to try the best mollusks? Let me know in the comments!

*Thank you LONG TALL SALLY for providing the stylish inspiration for Summer in the City!*

I had such a blast at the Long Tall Sally pop-up shop at the Westin Long Beach on Sunday! The assortment was amazing, filling an entire ballroom with the latest Fall must haves, LTS essentials and fabulous shoes!

One of my favorite things about attending these events is meeting all the loyal Long Tall Sally customers! There’s a great camaraderie that comes with being in a room full of tall girls – we always have common stories, from our unique fashion needs to remembering the moment we discovered Long Tall Sally! And of course, we all have our fingers crossed for a Long Tall Sally store to open here in California! Here are a few of the lovely ladies I had the pleasure of chatting with on Sunday:

Of course, I did a bit of shopping myself and took home these key pieces that I can’t wait to work into my wardrobe!

Are you a fan of Long Tall Sally? What’s your favorite AW16 piece? Check out the Long Tall Sally website to check out all the newest arrivals, and leave a comment in the notes!

Attention all my tall and fashionable friends! Long Tall Sally, the premiere online retailer that caters to women over 5’8”, will host their Fall Pop-Up Shop at the Westin Long Beach this weekend! The two day pop-up event will feature all the latest from the LTS AW16 collection, Long Elegant Legs, footwear and more!

I’ll be there on Sunday 9/18 from 11a-1p to help put together some fierce Fall looks! From rich burgundy hues to chunky knits, I don’t know which trends I’m most excited about seeing! Can’t wait to see you all there!

Come see me at the Long Tall Sally LA/OC Pop Up Shop on Saturday, April 18th, where I’ll be helping to style some fab tall girl looks, taking pictures and chatting about all things tall fashion! Shop the new summer collection from LTS before it sells out! Can’t wait to meet you all at this very special LA/OC event! All the details are below! #tallgirlbenefits

My favorite online retailer for fabulous tall fashion is having an exclusive pop-up shop in the Los Angeles/Orange County area this weekend! Visit the limited time store to touch, try on and buy all of the best trends for the season ahead. Here are the details:

Have you ever opted for flats instead of heels so that you didn’t stand out in a crowd? Surprisingly, 72% of tall women in the US have downplayed their height by wearing flat shoes or slouching when in social situations (Long Tall Sally).

Today marks the start of Stand Tall Week, a 7 day celebration that encourages women to embrace their height. Presented by Long Tall Sally, this week long initiative will include a limited time pop-up shop in New York City, an exclusive premiere of the documentary film “Tall Girls,” as well as great deals on the latest spring and summer collections on LongTallSally.com.

The official Stand Tall Week website has fun facts and figures about living the tall life, as well as an opportunity for women to share their personal stories and pictures to inspire their fellow fashionistas.

No matter if you’re 5’2” or 6’2”, there’s definitely something to learn from Stand Tall Week! Ladies, it’s time to stand tall and proud!

At 5’10”, I have always had a hard time finding clothes that fit. If you’ve ever struggled to find jeans that are long enough, Long Tall Sally will be your new favorite online retailer! As a one stop shop for the fashion needs of vertically inclined women everywhere, Long Tall Sally offers flawlessly proportioned clothing made to flatter women 5’8” and above. Stylish, chic and sophisticated items come in sizes 4-20, with both everyday and trendy pieces to create a well rounded wardrobe. Long Tall Sally even offers fabulous shoes in difficult to find sizes, from 10-13. And the best part is, everything from Long Tall Sally is affordable, so you won’t have to break the bank to buy these specialty items. So to my fellow tall ladies, the search is over… Long Tall Sally has all your fashion needs covered!

When I discovered Long Tall Sally, the first item I had to try was a pair of jeans. The denim selection is fantastic, with every style from skinny and straight to flare and even maternity, all priced under $109. They also feature a variety of washes, rises, and inseams (34-38 inches) so you can find a pair of jeans that’s right for you! One of my favorite styles for everyday wear is the Chelsea Bootleg Jean ($29). Available in dark or mid denim, these jeans fit my tall frame perfectly, with a contemporary rise and a 34 inch inseam. Not to mention the quality denim fabric lifts and supports in all the right places!

Leggings are a must in every fashionista’s wardrobe, but it’s difficult to find a quality pair that fits and flatters our bodies. Long Tall Sally’s Jodhpur Seamed Leggings ($49) are the ideal combination of style and function, and the only pair of leggings that I will wear! Made of a ponte jersey fabric, these riding inspired leggings have strategically placed seams to accentuate your best features, and have enough flair to be worn day or night, casual or dressy. Most importantly, they’re heavier than a traditional cotton style, so they have the look of a great pant but the stretch and comfort of a legging!

Maxi dresses and skirts are also items that are hard to shop for when you’re over 5’8”. Luckily, Long Tall Sally has a beautiful assortment of casual, maxi, cocktail and evening dresses priced from $19 to $165. The first maxi skirt I received from Long Tall Sally brought tears to my eyes, as it was the first item that I had ever tried in my life that I could actually say was too long! The versatile Pleated Maxi Skirt ($49) is classic and feminine, and would look beautiful with a silky tank and a pair of heels. The Multi Color Spot Print Maxi Dress ($165) is new to Long Tall Sally for spring, and would be a stunning choice for any special occasion!

Of course, Long Tall Sally also has a great collection of basic tees and tops, all with longer bodies and arms in mind. This is the best site to stock up on all your essentials, from camis and long sleeve tops to sweaters and blouses!

The best way to shop Long Tall Sally is online, but they also have stores across the globe in the US, UK, Canada, and Germany. You can also check out their website for a list of their upcoming US and European Pop-Up Shops for 2012!